One of our most indispensable household items – toilet paper – is set to get more expensive, and here’s some reasons why.
Toilet paper, like almost all paper, is made of trees – unsurprisingly. The price of the tree pulp that is used to make those glorious white rolls – who really uses the unbleached stuff? – is increasing, and pulp industry analyst Brian McClay says he’s “never seen monthly price increases like this in the history of the business,”
Pulp cost $606 per metric ton in September, and cost over $907 per metric ton by April”
The Insider says that McClay attributes the price increases to shipping delays and China, which is the world’s biggest wood pulp customer, experiencing an economic recovery.
Not just any old wood pulp is good enough to make up the stuff people use to…well…you know.
“Virgin wood pulp” is needed to make toilet paper because it needs to be soft and strong to do its job, and recycled paper doesn’t live up to those requirements.
It’s difficult to forget the wave of panic buying -some of which was immortalized on social media- that saw toilet paper flying off the shelves in 2020 as the pandemic was spreading globally.
The more frugal among us may have noted that Dunnes own value loo roll has experienced a considerable price hike in recent times. The very affordable four rolls for a euro is now being sold at €1.19. This may not seem like a whole lot in itself, but that’s a 19% price increase over a relatively short time period.
Perhaps it might be time to invest in one of those wonderful toilets from Japan- you know the ones that wash and blow dry you.
There’s no sign that the constant price increase of so many things that it’s difficult to live without is going to stop anytime soon, and since our government seem determined to keep blaming Vladimir Putin or climate change for most of it, instead of actually taking action to help us – surprise surprise- maybe an investment in a shower toilet is a smart move.
Some of the wonderful features proud TOTO owners can enjoy are, according to TileStyle, as follows:
Shower toilets are available for around €1,200, which is probably significantly less than the average person spends on toilet paper in a decade.